Parvez Rasool made 47 but J&K’s 199/9 was insufficient against Punjab (File)

Parvez Rasool, the Jammu and Kashmir skipper, was disappointed with the manner in which he was dismissed on Monday. Taruwar Kohli at midwicket didn’t spill the chance after Rasool’s soft jab against Harbhajan Singh headed his way. Rasool’s dismissal brought an end to the 85-run partnership between him and Ian Dev Singh for the fourth wicket. This was a crucial stand given that J&K had lost three wickets for just seven runs in 5.5 overs.

The Jamia Milia track was on the slower side and the key to batting well was patience. Rasool was clear about the way he wanted to approach the innings. He defended when the bowlers found a tight line and length, but when width was on offer he attempted to pierce the in-field.

Rasool’s positive intent paid off when he struck Siddarth Kaul for two boundaries early in his innings. In the next over he square cut Manpreet Gony for his third boundary.

The run rate climbed from under two to over three. With Rasool trying to step on the pedal at every opportunity, at the other end Ian Dev could take his time to build his innings.

“As a senior, it is my responsibility to make my teammates play according to the situation. I used to be a batsman before eventually taking up off-spin also. Having batted at No.4 all through, I have played in different situations. Today, I wanted to take the pressure off my team. However, I couldn’t execute plans. Firstly, I got out at a crucial juncture and then Ian’s wicket pushed us to the wall,” Rasool said.

During the Rasool-Singh partnership of 85, only 38 runs were scored in boundaries. The remaining 54 came through ones and twos. “When you lose wickets early, even ones and twos can do the job for you. I have been doing this the entire Ranji Trophy season. As you settle down, it is easy to change gears,” Rasool added.

However, Rasool couldn’t produce a knock that would put J & K in a strong position. Even against Delhi in the opening game, Rasool was dismissed on 30 at a time when his team was still in sight of an upset win. On Monday, Rasool got a life when on 39 he mistimed a lofted shot and Manan Vohra dropped a sitter off Harbhajan at deep mid wicket in the 21st over. After adding another eight runs to his individual score, Rasool was dismissed.

Shortly, Ian Dev played a poor shot on 50. Even though Hardeep Singh and Samiulllah Beigh tried to revive the innings, J & K were bowled out for 199.

Rasool felt that he didn’t deliver on the day. “If I had stayed at the wicket for a longer period, we would have ended up in a much stronger position,” Rasool said.